A girl knelt beside a tomb-stone
And planted a poplar tree beside it:
"Reach for the heavens, slender tree,
Just as he flew to the domain of the stars;
As my hands do in prayer,
Let each branch turn upward;
As my eyes peek up toward the stars,
Let each leaf look upward too.
To him! To him! Upward, upward!
Sweep forth your foliage!
So should you, Poplar tree, standing beside his grave,
Become the image of my grief!"

A boy knelt beside a tomb-stone
And planted a willow tree beside it:
"Reach toward the earth, you tree of tears,
Just as she sank into the domain of the earth;
As my tears do upon this grave,
Shake down your dew;
As my arms grapple in the earth
And embrace gladly this cold coffin,
Let your branches surround this grave.
To her, to her! Down, down!
So should you, Willow tree, standing beside her grave,
Become the image of my grief."